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Job description
The Senior Studio Leader is responsible for establishing, growing, and leading NELSON's West Coast presence through a combination of business development, client leadership, team building, and project delivery excellence. This is a seller/doer leadership role requiring an individual who can develop new business opportunities, strengthen existing client relationships, and successfully deliver projects while building a high-performing studio team.
The Senior Studio Leader serves as the Healthcare face of NELSON in the market, driving revenue growth, expanding market share, cultivating strategic relationships, and identifying emerging opportunities across key sectors. In partnership with Practice and Regional Leadership, this individual will recruit, mentor, and develop talent while creating a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and client service. Success in this role is measured through revenue growth, profitability, client satisfaction, market visibility, team development, and the successful expansion of NELSON's West Coast business.
Senior Studio Leader demonstrates the leadership skills necessary to strengthen existing client relationships and support the performance of the studio through assigned teams by creating a work environment where Teammates are engaged, excel in their abilities, and clients receive superior service. Ensuring Teammates receive the necessary support and opportunities for development and advancement, the Senior Studio Leader mentors and grows NELSON talent.
Architecture license in California required . Extensive experience leading projects under HCAI jurisdiction, including an understanding of the permitting and construction processes, protocols, and requirements for project closeout is required.
Attributes to support the NELSON culture
Go All In. Own the Outcome. We go all in—urgency, follow-through, and pride in the result.
Be Direct. Be Respectful. Be Authentic. We keep it real—clarity, candor, and care.
Grow with Purpose. We embrace growth—through learning, coaching, and continuous improvement.
Think Bold. Execute Smart. We think boldly—and pair ambition with discipline.
Make Space for Everyone. We value you—and build a culture where people can thrive and do their best work.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Critical features of this job are described under the headings below. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.
Required Knowledge and Skills
Possess code knowledge and ensure team has incorporated permitting requirements into the deliverables
Basic knowledge of design, trends, construction methodology, materials application and manufacturer-supplier appropriateness
Basic knowledge of sustainability, integrated design and LEED, Well, EnergyStar guidelines
Proficiency in Deltek
Proficiency in understanding of financial management concepts
Proficiency in MS Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned
Leadership
Build and scale a high-performing studio through strategic recruiting, mentoring, succession planning, and talent development
Foster an entrepreneurial culture focused on growth, accountability, innovation, and client excellence
Organize and prioritize tasks as needed to complete within the identified time frame
Manage expectations of project leads and Teammates, cast a vision for success of the studio
Effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing
Lead by example
Foster a positive studio environment and maintain harmony. Resolve conflict and have difficult conversations with Teammates, peers, upper management and/or clients when necessary
Provide opportunities to utilize individual’s strengths for their professional development as well as team performance
Conduct employee performance evaluations within studio on an annual basis and provide feedback to the Practice Leadership Team; recommend salary increases for teammates with Business Leader
Advise Practice Leadership of project lead performance and team(s) dynamic on a quarterly basis
Set goals with project leads and create opportunities to achieve these goals
Deliver feedback to inspire continuous learning
Develop project leads in core responsibilities for their role
Mentor all Teammates in the execution of their responsibilities
Develop network to support the recruiting efforts for the firm
Extensive experience leading teams of various sizes and skillset, as well as projects of significant complexity with success
Track record of success building diverse teams and cross functional project delivery teams
Excellent communication skills in written, verbal and presentation formats
Exemplary mentorship and leadership capabilities
Senior Studio Leader’s responsibilities include managing multiple studios or multiple teams within a studio crossing multiple geographies
Resource Management
Meet weekly with the project leads to ensure all work is progressing as scheduled. Provide direction to project leads to resolve issues that are project related or between Teammates
Assist project leads in rebalancing workload between teams if necessary, final authority over delegation of client/account assignments and/or project assignments
Evaluate teams’ skills and provide staffing recommendations to Practice Leadership
Participate in the staffing process; assist with seeking new talent and conduct interviews with Practice Leadership
Ensure internal reporting is completed in Deltek on time. (i.e. time sheet approvals, project planning and pipeline projections as applicable)
Manage studio utilization to meet targets and ensure a balanced workload
Be knowledgeable about projects within the teams
Coordinate with Practice Leadership when staffing decisions affect both parties’ initiatives
Technical
Ensure project leads within studio are following NELSON protocol for QA/QC; provide QA/QC support as necessary
Guide project leads in utilizing all NELSON resources within their office, within the team/account, and across the network to deliver quality technical and/or creative design
Support the initiative of the local/regional Technical Leader; share experiences within the studio to inform best practices that will benefit the firm
Prioritize and effectively meet deadlines, delegate tasks and provide high-quality service to clients
Project Delivery
Prepare project budgets and mentor/support Teammates to follow them; teach Teammates to prepare them on their own
Prepare proposals, define scope and estimate fees that are easy to understand and ensure profitability
Manage projects of a certain significance within the Studio and or when necessary to support workload and meet expected utilization targets
Review financial reports and utilize the data for evaluating positive performance and identify areas for improvement.
Provide budget/proposal support including additional services and reallocations to manage project profitability.
Review project budgets and coordinate regarding fees with peers to ensure profitability as well as consistency across studio and/or practice area
Enforce project planning and tracking by project leads and PMs in their usage of Deltek. Review monthly project plan updates to ensure project plans are current and on track.
Ensure billings are current and completed by project leads and PMs within time frame.
Assist in collecting AR and elevate issues with client which may delay payment to Practice Leadership
Mentor Teammates on understanding the fundamentals of timesheet entries, project budgets, and the invoicing process.
Ensure Team Leaders are managing their Teammate’s timesheets, utilization and billable percentage targets.
Coordinate with Practice Leadership to forecast revenue annually and direct project leads to ensure projections are on track; correct course as needed to ensure revenue projections are met.
Be actively engaged and proactive in monitoring revenue for Clients and/or accounts within local office as well as national teammates if applicable
Coordinate with peer Studio Leaders regarding client or practice specific revenue trends.
Proven track record of managing teams with financial success (consistently hitting KPIs, meeting revenue targets, etc.)
Superior working knowledge of KPIs on all projects including, but not limited to, effective multiplier, gross margin, profitability, realization, accounts receivable
Drive metrics and lead projects teams to meet business needs and KPIs within studio as set by Business Leader
Highly skilled at defining scope of work, establishing project fees, and developing project budgets
Extensive experience working with legal on contracts and contract negotiations with Clients
Client Service and Business Development
Participate in professional organizations and events to increase firm’s profile; strive for a leadership role such as Committee chair assignments/board level positions for industry and commercial real estate organizations.
Maintain relationships with existing clients and build relationships with new clients, including specific service delivery partner relationships and ability to “salvage” troubled Clients, accounts, and/or projects if needed.
Attend client meetings and KPI (Key Performance Indicators) reviews with Account Leaders and Practice Leadership as requested.
Keep a pulse on client satisfaction; maintain solid relationships with clients and solicit feedback on performance regularly.
Support business development pursuits with Practice Leadership by meeting with potential Clients, responding to RFPs, interviewing for new business/projects, etc.
Maintain and foster a diverse network of relationships with Clients, Consultants and Vendors to promote and support business development efforts.
Work closely with Practice Leadership to drive revenue growth in market, region or service line.
Certificates, Licenses or Registrations Required
Licensed in California required
Education / Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design or Architecture from an accredited University
15+ years of experience working in the field of Interior Design and/or Architecture; or equivalent in appropriate education and experience
Extensive experience leading projects under HCAI jurisdiction including an understanding of the permitting and construction processes, protocols, and requirements for project closeout
Experience as a Team Director, Account Manager, and/or Project Manager required
15+ years of relevant experience in a leadership role of this type or equivalent
Architecture license in California required
National salary range: $150,000-$250,000 (compensation factors are taken into consideration during the hiring process and are based upon years of relevant experience, qualifications/licensure, education, and location.) Additional compensation includes bonuses and benefits. Bonuses can include but are not limited to: Long Term Incentive Plan, Short Term Incentive Plan, Profit Sharing.
Full health benefits including medical, dental, and vision
Wellness program with rewards for healthy activities
Pet Insurance
Opportunities for career advancement
Paid time off and holiday pay
Paid parental leave
Flexible working schedules and work from home options based on client’s needs
Professional Development including discretionary support and reimbursement for registrations, certifications, and membership to a professional organization
NELSON and its related affiliates are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender, national origin, status as a protected veteran, disability or any other classification protected by law.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
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Worksite address
orange, CA, 92613, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.